Unique horse charity’s annual open day

Kettering Brambleside Beaver Group who are taking part in a community help project at EquATA Ltd, Grafton Park Lodge, Grafton Underwood. The charity provide horse assisted therapy services for emotional, behavioural and mental health issues. ENGNNL00120130430104929

Michael Whelan

A unique charity which uses horses and its woodland environment to provide therapy for children and young people on the autistic spectrum or with mental health issues is hosting an open day this Saturday (August 13).

The event is being held at EquATA, in Grafton Underwood, between 10am and 5pm and will also feature live music until midnight.

The charity was launched seven years ago and since then has helped almost 1,000 families.

Jane Cooper, from the charity, said: “EquATA’s main fundraising event is its annual Open Day which this year is bigger and better than ever!

“There truly is something for all the family with the mini-Olympics, fairground games, face painting and paint-a-pony; a range of stalls offering holistic therapies and a variety of goods; demonstrations of natural horsemanship, gundogs, hounds, and birds of prey; a Viking Battle re-enactment; live music from a range of bands; licensed bar, barbecue, cakes and ice cream.

“Even the family dog can join in with the ‘have a go’ dog agility course! Free camping is also available.”

Howard Rose, who appeared in The Voice in 2015 will be performing at the event.

Running from 10am, the daytime events will conclude at 5pm with the drawing of a grand raffle. Raffle prizes include seven days holiday accommodation to be chosen from a range of destinations, a ‘Rugby Tonight’ experience with Austin Healey, gliding with the Welland Gliding Club, a Land Rover experience, golfing with Wellingborough Golf Club and fashion vouchers.

Jane added: “The money raised will fund the development of a new play area for families and support family respite programmes and residential camps.”

EquATA can be found at Grafton Park Lodge, Northamptonshire, NN14 3AE.